OSSTF/FEESO Members in Toronto Announce Job Action

TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - October 23, 2015) - Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) teachers in District 12, Toronto, will initiate a selective withdrawal of services commencing on Wednesday, November 4, against the Toronto District School Board unless a local collective agreement can be reached between OSSTF/FEESO and the board by that time.

"The Board's position in bargaining shows a disturbing absence of respect for teachers and the complete lack of progress at the table has precipitated my team's decision to move to legal job action," said Doug Jolliffe, President of OSSTF/FEESO District 12, Toronto Secondary Teachers. "These sanctions being announced today indicate the level of importance the board should be placing on reaching a local agreement that meets the needs and interests of our membership."

Paul Elliott, OSSTF/FEESO Provincial President said, "With a central agreement between OSSTF/FEESO, the government and the school boards' association now in place, we are extremely disappointed with the lack of movement toward a local deal in Toronto. We expect a fair local deal that doesn't seek to undermine the working conditions of our members or the learning conditions of our students."

OSSTF/FEESO, founded in 1919, has 60,000 members across Ontario. They include public high school teachers, occasional teachers, educational assistants, continuing education teachers and instructors, early childhood educators, psychologists, secretaries, speech-language pathologists, social workers, plant support personnel, university support staff, and many others in education.